Riccardo Calafiori has been linked with a move away from Arsenal this summer and now an update has emerged on his future at the Emirates Stadium
Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori celebrates
Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori has been linked with Real Madrid this summer(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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A potential transfer for Riccardo Calafiori to Real Madrid is virtually off the table after Los Blancos announced the signing of Spanish defender Marc Cucurella from Chelsea. Real boss Jose Mourinho has been eager to bring Calafiori in from Arsenal.
It had been suggested that Mourinho views Calafiori as the missing piece in his defensive overhaul following initial moves to reshape the back line at the La Liga giants. Denzel Dumfries and Ibrahima Konate are set to join Real, and the Italian could have become their new left-back.
But it is understood that the Gunners have no plans to offload Calafiori, and are under no obligation to sanction a sale with the 24-year-old having three years left on his contract.
And it is also believed that a potential deal is now unlikely to happen with Cucurella heading to the Santiago Bernabeu instead.
The Blues have struck an agreement with Real for a transfer worth up to £51.7million. It is understood that an opening fee of £47.4m has been settled upon with approximately £4.3m in add-ons also agreed.
The official paperwork has now been completed, with Cucurella joining up with his new team-mates after this summer's World Cup.
Chelsea were not actively looking to offload the player, but it is understood that Cucurella was receptive to the right opportunity and was eager to leave Stamford Bridge. The defender had only put pen to paper on a fresh contract with the Blues last summer, which still had three years remaining on it.
Marc Cucurella.
Cucurella will relocate to Spain following the World Cup(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
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While the development is welcome news for Arsenal given the Gunners won't need to part with one of their own defenders, Calafiori's availability has been a source of considerable frustration for Mikel Arteta and the club's supporters throughout his time at the Emirates.
Since his arrival in north London in 2024, the Italian has been absent from 44 matchday squads for both club and country through injury, spanning nine separate spells.
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Furthermore, Arteta confirmed that, following his appearance against Crystal Palace on the final day of the season, the defender had picked up a problem during the week, ruling him out of both starting and coming off the bench in the UEFA Champions League final.
While Calafiori is held in high regard at the Emirates and the club would ideally retain him to preserve their defensive depth, the reality is that a substantial offer would be difficult for the Gunners to dismiss given his persistent injury record.